The Count of Monte Cristo

Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorite Books
Review: Required reading before my freshman year of high school, this masterpiece inspired a passion for reading that continues to this day. THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO should be read by every fourteen year old boy, and everyone else for that matter. Full of adventure, mystery, treasure, love, revenge, treachery, and intrigue, its 1,000 pages seem like 10. The tale is timeless, although early nineteenth century France adds a classical lustre and a a breathtaking romance. Read it. Please.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite a masterpiece but pretty damn close!
Review: I would give this book 4 1/2 stars if I could. It is truly engrossing. As many previous readers have warned it WILL keep you up nights when you should really put it down and go to bed to wake up for the morning meeting next day.

This story is wonderfully imaginative and intricate. One third of the way into the book (and I'm talking about the Modern Library version with all chapters intact), you wonder why there are so many chapters that ostensibly have little to do with our hero Edmond Dante aka Count of Monte Cristo. The details of where Caderousse end up with La Carconte, the chapters on Luigi Vampa, the chapter on Franz d'Epinay's first encounter with the Count of Monte Cristo? I was slightly baffled as to why Dumas would include them? But I soon understood that every character, no matter how minor, plays some role in the story (either because they become an important instrument later on in the Count's revenge) or they serve to tell us something about the Count (as in Franz d'Epinay's case).

From the beginning of the book until Edmond's escape and discovery of the treasure, the reader is well-involved in his story and his life. After he finds fabulous wealth, the reader knows nothing more about this character's inner life. Everything we know about Edmond (and the Count) from then on, is through others. There is a switch in perspective that should be effective but I found it detracted from the story. Dumas does this of course to convey a sense of mystery surrounding the Count, mystery that is absolutely crucial to his success in gaining revenge. But this sudden break from a mostly single perspective (Edmond) to many, many perspectives about Edmond is distracting, and really breaks the story into two stories rather than one cohesive long tale.

The other criticism I have for this book is the amount of repetitive descriptions. I was at times irritated in the beginning at the numerous "tremblings" and "pale with tremblings" written about Fernand. Later on, Dumas drums into our heads how "mysterious" and "cryptic" and "indecphirable" the Count is. OK, we get it!!

Overall, though I can't criticize much a book that kept me up till 2am for 10 solid days. He certainly did something right! The story is well-thought out, intricate as the plot and subplots can be they tie in (sometimes TOO perfectly) and the characters are well-drawn. And just when I catch myself writing the story off as an action-adventure novel, I run across some of the most exquisite and beautifully noted observations on human behavior I've ever read.

So suspend your disbelief (some of the hyperbole on the superiority of the Count and the heroism of certain characters made me roll my eyes), believe in love (for Mercedes more than Haydee (????)), forgive some of the incredulous moments (agree about others' questioning of Edmond's readiness to throw away his revenge plans when he was so close to suceeding and his sudden remorse at the end is also a stretch). Put all those little criticisms aside, do NOT see the movie that just came out, read this book! It is worth the time investment and sleepless nights.

Rating:
Summary: Not always easy to get past parts of this book
Review: Although the book and the storyline itself is exciting....there are parts in it that are so difficult to get past. I thought too much time was spent describing certain people/situations. I felt some chapters where new characters were introduced did not hold my attention enough to keep me wanting to know more. It felt like a roller coaster ride. One minute I was riding high and excited about a particular scene and then the next I was falling asleep. I do plan on trying again, however and hope that I can get past this to finish the book. I do not like to leave a book unfinished, if I can help it.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: I really don't have much to say, but this book is so excellent, I had to say something. I was actually forced to read this for school once, and was expecting some boring crap-story from some french guy I'd never heard of. I was pleasantly surprised.

From the beginning, the story is set up so the main character is at the point in life when things have gotten about the best than can get. Then everything goes to heck. Dumas reallly did an excellent job creating a twisting plot and real sympathy for the very much wronged main character. And this is one of the best books on revenge I've ever read.

If you've never read the Count, then buy it, check it out, borrow it from a friend; whatever you do, make sure you read this masterpiece some time during your life.

Rating:
Summary: A Universal Classic
Review: Often when I read, I have the television on (but muted). Imagine my surprise when I saw a trailer for the new film Count of Monte Christo while I was actually reading the novel. I suspect that the film will in no way measure up to this monument of world literature. This book is phenomenal. It is truly a magisterial work of the ages. The copy I read was the Penguin unabridged version, which clocks in at 1,078 pages in very dense font. I've never read the abridged version, but I imagine that cutting even a small bit of Dumas' work does it a great injustice. Read the unabridged version. It takes longer but always pays off. In fact, always read the full version of any piece of literature. Why cut corners?

On the surface, the book seems to be a simple tale of revenge. Edmond Dantes, a young sailor with a bright future, has his life turned upside down when three men get him arrested on a false charge. Dantes ends up in prison for 14 years, where he meets a man who tells him of a hidden treasure. When Dantes escapes, he finds the treasure and emerges as "Le Comte de Monte Christo" and wreaks havoc on his enemies. Simple, right? There is so much more here than simple revenge. Dumas uses his sprawling epic to cast aspersions on the French aristocracy, as well as examining the relationship of God and man. Is man right to seek earthly revenge? Is it acceptable for man to assume the role that has been eternally given to God? It's all here in eloquent prose. Dumas also weaves into his work the European fascination of the time with anything Oriental, as some of the characters and events have a distinctive Turkish and Balkan character. As stated above, this book is brilliant. Dumas has an exceptional eye for character, and he loads this book with plenty of interesting people. The scheming businessman Danglars, the crown prosecutor M. de Villefort, the Greek slave Haydee, and Albert Morcerf are all characters you will meet during your journey through this book. My favorite character was Monsieur Noirtier, Villefort's father. What a tough old bird! Noirtier often saves the day.

I was almost done with the book when I realized that I was reading a soap opera. All of the elements are there. It's the high level of melodrama that is most apparent. Eyes are constantly cast upwards towards heaven, chests are clutched in agony or joy, and sighs and blanching occur frequently. I felt sorry for the chairs and other furniture in this book. People are constantly collapsing into them over some agony or other emotional breakdown. Despite these constant emotional outbreaks, the book is still great. The book closes with the typical happy ending (even a ride off into the sunset occurs).

This book is a classic and you'll quickly see why within a few pages. I would sure like to read other Dumas classics, although I can't imagine when I'll find the time. His musketeer stories apparently encompass some 3000 pages in its entirety. Start with this gem and it will suffice. Robin Buss is to be credited with his translation. Devoting the time to translating this huge book certainly is a labor of love. Five stars just aren't enough!!

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant classic
Review: I was surprised how brilliant this book was. After the first few chapters the story was so compelling that I could hardly put it down. Dumas has the art of telling a story whilst placing it in the context of history and making the historical characters believable.

Each character seems real wth flauxs and all. A wonderful story perfect for everyone to read and perhaps easier than the Three Musketers and the Man in the Iron Mask.

Rating:
Summary: Superb! Dumas¿ brilliance shines on¿
Review: Dumas' classic paints an engrossing tale of love, treachery, and revenge. This superb book begins quickly, drawing you in to the world of Edmond Dantès, a world sacrificed for another's ambition. While he spent years in a forgotten cell, his lust for vengeance grew. When he finally escaped, he carefully and patiently exacted his perfect revenge.
This book has many good qualities, some almost too good. Dumas created a fascinating, enthralling plot, complete in every detail. However, there were times when the plot became too detailed, and forced me to slow down and think about what went on. Also, the pace of the book is perfect: as the action unfolds, the book reads quickly, but then slows down again to give importance to the time Dantès takes in his quest. For all this, Dumas' masterpiece ranks as one of my all-time favorite books, one I would recommend to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: You must read The Count of Monte Cristo
Review: If you enjoy literature, then you must read The Count of Monte Cristo. In this book, a young sailor named Edmond Dantès is arrested on false charges of treason. He spends the next fourteen years in prison trying to figure out how to exact complete revenge on his enemies. Once he gets out of prison he begins his quest for vengeance. The author, Alexandre Dumas, portrays this struggle for vengeance by mixing action and serenity together. By using both, Dumas makes the character seem like a real person. Throughout the entire book I felt like I knew Edmond Dantès feelings. Dumas' writing style made Edmond Dantès come alive. Instead of being on the outside watching in, I felt like I was in the middle of all the action. By making the reader feel like a part of the book, Dumas gets the reader involved in the plot; this makes the reader not want to stop reading. The Count of Monte Cristo continually makes you think about the characters and the plot. As the reader, I observed a great battle of intellect between the main characters, and this strife makes the book enjoyable to read. You constantly wonder who will get the upper hand. This book, with its many levels, will make a reader lose him or her self in the book. I read the abridged edition, which sometimes made me feel like I had missed an important detail or event. Other than this small drawback, I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I recommend The Count of Monte Cristo to anyone who enjoys reading books with an entertaining story and believable plot.

Rating:
Summary: The ultimate page-turner
Review: The author is one of the most imaginative writers I have ever come across. With one unpredictable plot twist after another, this was an addictive page-turner that had me reading for hours on end, days at a time. Despite its formidable length, you will not want this novel to end.

The novel centers around Edward Dantes, who we first glimpse as a young innocent sailor about to be married. The treachery of three men results in his being sent to waste away in prison. He manages to escape after 14 years, and the remainder of the novel entails his painstaking and elaborate revenge on the villains.

The author taps on every human emotion in weaving this tale - love, hate, greed, fear, empathy, pride. It reminds me of a Russian novel: it has a large cast of characters about whom the reader knows everything, an intricate soap-operaesque plot, and is impossible to put down.

In my view, this is great escapist entertainment and very imaginative. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Revenge and Regret
Review: A few years ago I saw the movie Sleepers with Brad Pitt, Jason Patric and Kevin Bacon. It was about a gang of pre-teens who are abused in a reform school, read Count of Monte Cristo in school and vow to take revenge on their persecutors, even if it takes years and years to put their plan into action. This led me to believe that Count of Monte Cristo glorified the concept of revenge. Dumas did so much more than that. He portrayed a life that was completely consumed by the need for revenge and in the end the true message was of regret, not revenge. For me that message transformed this book from an entertaining thriller to a powerful classic. As I have said in other reviews, I have young children and this will be a must read when they are teens. I can tell my children that I believe in turning the other cheek, but this classic illustrates why forgiveness should beat revenge on any given day.